Monticello to Sandlin

So, I see Lake Monticello is now 2.75 low. ya think this the new normal ? Sandlin came up 9" for no reason. Did they allow Monti, to drain into Sandlin ? Will we ever be able to drive a boat from Monti, to Sandlin ?? Anybody have info...
Thanks

It was posted a few weeks ago that they are bringing it down to do a last few things to the plant to shut it down.

If you go to Monticello the dock is dry at the ramp and only about 1 ft or less in front of it but can still get to deeper little hole on the left side but have to trim up or use troll motor if in a big boat to reach bank. Lots of timber I never knew was there past highway bridge.

Left side, and back is loaded.

Yeah red I saw that. Knew there were stumps there but didn’t realize it was that thick lol. Thought I should take time to map some trails but got tied up fishing/catching.

From the information I've been given what you see now is going to be the new full pool for Monticello. Around 3 ft low, but from looking at the dock and bridge pilings it seems lower than that since they usually kept it a little over full. They have opened the gates wide open and will leave them that way from now on so whatever level Sandlin is at that is what Monticello will be. If Sandlin drops from a drought in the summer so will Monticello. Can you imagine if the lake drops another 2-3 ft? Not sure ramps will even be usable if that happens. I was told this was a decision made by Luminant and TCEQ as they weren't going to have anyone there to control the gates so they would just leave them open and basically tie it into Sandlin to use as more water supply for the towns around. I'm not sure how far down the gates go from the water level so will be interesting to see what happens if we have a drought and Sandlin drops 6,8,10 or more feet low like it has done in the past. I'm sure at some point it would get below the gates but probably not until after it has drained most of the upper end of Monticello. Hard to imagine Monticello at 8-10 ft low but depending on how far the gates go into the water it's a possibility. It's going to be a huge hit to the lake and especially the local economy. It started with the plant closing and lost jobs and will now trickle to the local motels, gas stations, restaurants etc that enjoyed the traffic that Monticello brought into the area. I hate to see it all happening. As of right now they said they are not planning to remove anything to allow people to go from one lake to the other, but fish are theoretically free to go from one lake to the other.

Well dammit......

I think the area will suffer more from jobs lost at the plant than the fishing of Monte. It's not like Fork that has 100 guides and tons of tournaments. Bob Sandlin and Cypress Creek likely do more for the area than Monte.

I'm curious to see if the fish in Monte make it to Sandlin and if that has a positive impact on Sandlin fishing.

No, it's not the draw to the area like Fork is by any means. From working and living here every day I can promise it brought a lot of business to the local economy. During the week in the winter there are usually out of state trucks/boats at the ramp and some of the local hotels. I've visited with many fishermen from Kansas, Missouri, Iowa etc that come down here every winter to stay for 3-4 days and fish. I can't tell you how many people I've talked to on the lake that started the day at Fork but ended up at Monticello, guides included. They all spend money to stay and or eat here. Lots of clubs and fishermen used to use Reagans as a place to stay if they were coming from very far away as well. You are right, the lost jobs will be the biggest impact as there is no other company in this area that has anywhere near the pay most of the people were making there. They will be forced to work for much less or move out of the area to seek comparable work. It's going to be a ripple effect.

Interesting, Heath you think they may dig some of the dirt out from power loading to help at the ramp, or is the level just to low.

Wow, that is a very noticeable difference.

Has this always been the case or have the gates prevented this in the past??....the fish being able to move between the two lakes?

Thanks for the info Heath. Since I live in the area I hear all kinds of rumors. You probably know more than anybody what's going on. It's sad to see it in this shape. I'm curious though ,as how fish are free to move to Sandlin. Are the fish able to go through the gates? I guess I need to go see it. Is the ramp built where it can handle really low water? Thanks for any info and your service.

that is a real shame... lots of great memories on the ol hot water tank...

It was awesome for winter fishing

the gates will be below the water line at all times, so the fish can swim over the top of the gates now. Hasn't always been the case. there will be no current so they are freely able to move back and forth from one lake to another now.

Can you still run from car bridge to railroad bridge pretty freely or has the lower water level brought new stumps into play?

stay to the right like always

Heath
Is the lake elevation as extreme as Cypress?Sandlin?

that being the case, keeping the slot on Monti makes very little sense moving forward.

I doubt the fish will be able to swim between the two lakes. Seems lake Monticello would be able to be managed just by leaving the gates as is and let spring rains keep the lake level like the rest of the east Texas lakes. Why would this not be possible?

No

The bass in Sandlin have for years held a grudge and waiting for the chance to mix it up with the warm water Monti bass - it gonna be all out war.

That's scary looking and sad.

I spoke to the TPWD Biologist for the Tri-Lakes area, which included Monti, after Heath and I talked about this about 10 days ago. He confirmed that the gates will be left open indefinitely. With no one around to operate them because of the plant shut down, it was decided that was the best course of action. He also stated the gates open from the BOTTOM and not the top so while the fish can come and go as they please between the lakes, he didn't think much of that would happen and added that both lakes would still be managed by TPWD individually.

Lots of great spawning grounds gone now, but new ones will grow vegetation as time goes on. If the weather isn't too bad out there Saturday, I will be out there trying to find them.

If I were to need info on Monti, especially now, it would be Mr. Gillroy... Chris give us an intuitive report on your return Bud...